Victim Support Gaps
Crime victims are at the center of the justice system — and they deserve a DA's office that treats them that way. Texas law guarantees victims the right to be informed, to be heard, and to be treated with dignity throughout the legal process.
Too often, victims in Rockwall County report feeling left in the dark about their cases, struggling to reach anyone in the DA's office, and learning about plea deals after they've already been offered. These gaps erode trust and compound the trauma victims have already experienced.
Key Concerns
Communication Breakdowns
Victims report going weeks or months without updates on their cases. Phone calls and emails go unanswered. Court dates change without notice. When victims are left guessing about the status of their case, it sends a clear message: their experience doesn't matter.
Under Texas law, victims have the right to be notified of court proceedings, case dispositions, and the release of defendants. Consistent communication isn't optional — it's the law.
Plea Deals Without Input
Texas victims have the right to provide input before a plea agreement is finalized. When plea offers are extended without consulting the victim, it undermines their voice in the process and can leave them feeling revictimized by the system that was supposed to protect them.
A victim-centered DA's office contacts every victim before extending a plea offer, explains the terms clearly, and gives them a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
Restitution Gaps
When offenders are ordered to pay restitution, victims expect the DA's office to advocate for enforcement. Too often, restitution orders go uncollected and victims are left to navigate the system on their own. Financial losses from crime — medical bills, property damage, lost wages — can devastate families.
Effective restitution enforcement requires tracking payments, filing motions for non-compliance, and connecting victims with additional recovery resources.
Inadequate Victim Advocacy Staff
Victim liaisons serve as the bridge between the legal process and the people most affected by crime. When caseloads are too high or positions go unfilled, victims lose their primary point of contact. Advocacy staff should be trained, accessible, and empowered to intervene when the system isn't working for victims.
Every victim should have a dedicated contact who knows their case and can answer questions without transferring them through a phone tree.
What We Would Do Differently
48-Hour Contact Standard
Every victim contacted within 48 hours of case filing, with a dedicated liaison assigned and a clear communication plan established from day one.
Victim Input on Pleas
No plea offer extended without first consulting the victim, explaining the terms in plain language, and documenting their input in the case file.
Restitution Enforcement
Actively track and enforce restitution orders, filing motions for non-compliance and connecting victims with Crime Victims' Compensation resources.
Victim Satisfaction Surveys
Implement anonymous feedback surveys after case resolution to identify gaps, hold the office accountable, and continuously improve victim services.
Victims deserve a DA who fights for them — not one they have to fight to reach.
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